Does silicon and salicylic acid contribute in the morphophysiology of Schinus terebinthifolia seedlings under flooding?

Abstract Flooding can damage the photosynthetic apparatus and initial growth of Schinus terebinthifolia. We aimed this study evaluates the potential of silicon (Si) and salicylic acid (SA) as mitigating agents on the ecophysiological responses and initial growth of S. terebinthifolia subjected to flooding periods. Seedlings were grown under the following conditions: 1) control (non-flooded): daily irrigation, 2) Flooded (F): storage of seedlings in a 500 L plastic pool, keeping the water depth at ± 2.0 cm above the substrate level, 3) F + 1.0 mM Si, 4) F + 2.0 mM Si, 5) F + 1.5 mM SA, and 6) F + 3.0 mM SA, and evaluated to 15 and 30 days. We observed that flooded seedlings formed hypertrophied lenticels on the stem on the 7th day as a stress adjustment strategy. S. terebinthifolia is sensitive to flooding, although it maintains a stable gas exchange for up to 15 days in this condition. The applications of 1.0 mM Si mitigated the pronounced decrease of gas exchange by 30 days. Using 1.0 mM Si and 3.0 mM SA contributed for integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus and to photochemical activities in the reaction centers, in addition favors to higher seedling biomass and quality under flooding. Foliar application of Si and SA is promising practice for photosynthetic metabolic and initial growth of S. terebinthifolia seedlings under flooded stress

Serum DU-PAN-2 in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: influence of jaundice and liver dysfunction.

The usefulness of serum DU-PAN-2 in diagnosing pancreatic cancer and in distinguishing between this cancer and other benign and malignant diseases, and to assess the role of liver dysfunction in altering the serum levels of this marker were investigated. DU-PAN-2 was measured in the sera of 31 patients with pancreatic cancer, 32 with chronic pancreatitis, 20 with benign and 21 with malignant extra-pancreatic diseases. DU-PAN-2 was found to be above 300 U ml-1 in 21/31 patients with pancreatic cancer (sensitivity 68%). Only 3/32 patients with chronic pancreatitis had abnormal values. A substantial number of patients with both benign and malignant extra-pancreatic diseases had an elevated serum DU-PAN-2 (9/20 and 15/21, respectively). Correlations were found between DU-PAN-2 and (1) total bilirubin, (2) alanine-amino-transferase and (3) alkaline phosphatase. Of the patients with high DU-PAN-2 values, jaundice was found in: 2/3 with chronic pancreatitis, 9/10 with benign and 12/14 with malignant extra-pancreatic diseases. In conclusion, the serum DU-PAN-2 test for pancreatic malignancy is not completely satisfactory, because it is not sensitive enough. While the test for chronic pancreatitis has an acceptable specificity, the assay cannot distinguish between pancreatic cancer and other extra-pancreatic diseases, mainly of the liver and biliary tract. Liver dysfunction as well as jaundice seem to considerable affect the levels of this marker, as reported elsewhere for CA 19-9

Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of haemoplasmas from cats infected with multiple species

AbstractMycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (CMhm) and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (CMt) are agents of feline haemoplasmosis and can induce anaemia in cats. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and phylogeny of haemoplasma species in cats from Brazil's capital and surrounding areas, and whether correlation with haematological abnormalities existed. Feline haemoplasmas were found in 13.8% of 432 cats. CMhm was the most prevalent species (in 13.8% of cats), followed by Mhf (11.1%) and CMt (4.4%). Over 80% of haemoplasma-infected cats harboured two or more feline haemoplasma species: 7.1% of cats were co-infected with Mhf/CMhm, 0.4% with CMhm/CMt and 3.9% with Mhf/CMhm/CMt. Male gender was significantly associated with haemoplasma infections. No association was found between qPCR haemoplasma status and haematological variables, however CMhm relative copy numbers were correlated with red blood cell (RBC) numbers and packed cell volume (PCV). Haemoplasma 16S rRNA gene sequences (>1Kb) were derived from co-infected cats using novel haemoplasma species-specific primers. This allowed 16S rRNA gene sequences to be obtained despite the high level of co-infection, which precluded the use of universal 16S rRNA gene primers. Within each species, the Mhf, CMhm and CMt sequences showed >99.8%, >98.5% and >98.8% identity, respectively. The Mhf, CMhm and CMt sequences showed >99.2%, >98.4% and >97.8% identity, respectively, with GenBank sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed all Mhf sequences to reside in a single clade, whereas the CMhm and CMt sequences each grouped into three distinct subclades. These phylogeny findings suggest the existence of different CMhm and CMt strains

Caracterização da plataforma e do talude continentais do Estado da Bahia, a partir da análise de agrupamento dos dados sedimentológicos e da microfauna de foraminíferos

This study aimed to characterize the continental shelf and slope of the State of Bahia, based on the multivariate analysis applied to sediments data and the foraminifers’ microfauna. Thirty-eight samples from the bottom sediment surface were analyzed, which were processed in accordance with the standard methodology for sediment studies (grain size and composition) and microfaunal analysis. From the sediment fraction used for the foraminifers’ micro fauna analysis, the first 300 tests were randomly sorted and identified. For the multivariate analysis, it was used species that have at the same time frequency of occurrence higher than 50% (constant) and relative frequency greater than 5% (major) in, at least, two samples. The methodology consisted in the application of the technique of multivariate grouping in which it was set the squared Euclidean distance defined as a metric formation of groups, applying the methods Ward’s and k-Means. A cluster analysis of species (R mode) was performed based on the absolute frequency data for each different bathymetric range. Then, a cluster analysis was applied between the samples (Q mode) based on the percent of sediment present in each sample. The dendograms data integration, generated by the multivariate analysis, revealed that siliciclastic sands predominate in the inner and middle continental shelves, carbonate gravelly sands dominated in the outer shelf and carbonate muddy sands were the major sediment type found in the continental slope. The distribution of Archaias angulatus and Peneroplis proteus was closely related to the occurrence of siliciclastic sands, while the Discorbis mira was associated with carbonate sands, and Cassidulina laevigata and Cibicides pseudoungerianus were associated to carbonate muddy sands. The distribution of Amphistegina lessonii, Amphistegina gibbosa and especially Peneroplis carinatus was associated with the sediments from the transition between siliciclastic and carbonate sands. The planktonic Globigerinoide ruber was particularly found in carbonate muddy sands located farther from the coast.Esse trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a plataforma e o talude continentais do Estado da Bahia, a partir da análise multivariada aplicada aos dados de sedimento e da microfauna de foraminíferos. Trinta e oito amostras de sedimento da superfície do fundo foram analisadas e processadas de acordo com a metodologia padrão para estudos sedimentológicos (granulometria e composição) e microfaunísticos. Na fração destinada à análise da microfauna de foraminíferos foram triadas e identificadas as primeiras trezentas testas. Para a realização da análise multivariada foram utilizadas as espécies que possuíam, ao mesmo tempo, frequência de ocorrência maior que 50 % (constantes) e frequência relativa maior que 5% (principais) em pelo menos duas amostras. A metodologia consistiu na aplicação da técnica de agrupamento em que foi definida a distância euclidiana ao quadrado como métrica de formação dos grupos, utilizando os métodos Ward e k-Médias. Uma análise de agrupamento das espécies (modo R) foi realizada, a partir dos dados de frequência absoluta, para os diferentes intervalos batimétricos. Em seguida, foi aplicada uma análise de agrupamento entre as amostras (modo Q), a partir dos teores de sedimento presentes em cada amostra. A integração dos dados, a partir dos dendrogramas gerados pela análise multivariada, revelou que nas plataformas interna e média predominou areia siliciclástica; na plataforma externa areia carbonática cascalhosa e no talude areia carbonática lamosa. As espécies Archaias angulatus e Peneroplis proteus, apresentaram distribuição estreitamente relacionada com areia siliciclástica, a distribuição de Discorbis mira esteve associada com areia carbonática e Cassidulina laevigata e Cibicides pseudoungerianus foram associadas com areia carbonática lamosa. Amphistegina lessonii, Amphistegina gibbosa e, principalmente, Peneroplis carinatus apresentaram distribuição relacionada com sedimentação em área de transição entre areia siliciclástica e areia carbonática. Globigerinoide ruber, planctônica, foi encontrada principalmente em sedimento do tipo areia carbonática lamosa, localizado mais distante da costa

How does shading mitigates the water deficit in young Hymenaea courbaril L. plants?

Information on tolerance to isolated or combined abiotic stresses is still scarce for tree species, although such stresses are normal in nature. The interactive effect of light availability and water stress has been reported for some native tree species in Brazil but has not been widely investigated. To test the hypothesis that shading can mitigate the stressful effect of water deficit on the photosynthetic and antioxidant metabolism and on the growth of young Hymenaea courbaril L. plants, we evaluated the following two water regimes: a) continuous irrigation – control (I) - 75% field capacity. and b) water deficit (S), characterized by irrigation suspension associated the two following periods of evaluation: P0 - when the photosynthetic rate of plants subjected to irrigation suspension reached values ​​close to zero, with the seedlings being re-irrigated at that moment, and REC - when the photosynthetic rate of the re-irrigated plants of each shading levels reached values ​​similar to those of plants in the control treatment, totaling four treatments: IP0, SP0, IREC, and SREC. The plants of these four treatments were cultivated under the four following shading levels: 0, 30, 50, and 70%, constituting 16 treatments. Intermediate shading of 30 and 50% mitigates the water deficit and accelerates the recovery of H. courbaril. Water deficit associated with cultivation without shading (0%) should not be adopted in the cultivation or transplantation of H. courbaril. After the resumption of irrigation in the REC, the other characteristics presented a recovery under all cultivation conditions. Key message: Intermediate shading of 30 and 50% mitigates the water deficit and accelerates the recovery of H. courbaril

New segregates from the Neotropical genus Stryphnodendron (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade)

Non-monophyly is a prominent issue in mimosoid legumes, even in some of the less speciose genera such as the neotropical genus Stryphnodendron. This genus includes 35 species occurring from Nicaragua to Southern Brazil mostly in humid forests and savannas. Previous taxonomic studies of Stryphnodendron have highlighted morphologically distinct groups within the genus, recognized by differences on leaves (number of pinnae and size of leaflets), inflorescences (a simple or compound thyrse), and fruit types (legume, nucoid legume or follicle). Recent phylogenetic analyses have confirmed the non-monophyly of Stryphnodendron, supporting the recognition of three independent and morphologically well-delimited genera. Here we re-circumscribe Stryphnodendron and propose the two new genera Gwilymia and Naiadendron. In addition, we also provide an updated taxonomic account of the closely related genus Microlobius, including the proposal of a lectotype for the single species in the genus

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives